Fashion Revolution is a global movement created to unite people and organizations around the world to work together towards radically changing the way apparel is sourced, produced and consumed, so that our clothing is made in a safe, clean and fair way. The belief is that collaborating across the whole value chain — from farmer, to seamstress, to consumer — is the only way to transform the industry.
At Belabumbum, we have a deep understanding of this connection and have prioritized care, ethics, and dignity in our work and interactions since we launched in 2001. Belabumbum partners with small family-run factories in Peru to source our sleep and loungewear collections. As Peru was hit very hard by the COVID-19 we’re doing our part to honor all of our purchase order commitments on delayed shipments and plan future orders to ensure job security for our partners — something that many others are notably not doing, with devastating impacts for local economies and the livelihoods of workers.
To commemorate Fashion Revolution this year, instead of sharing #Imadeyourclothes posts, we’d like to take the opportunity to tell you more about how the friends and colleagues who make our clothes in Peru are helping each other through the COVID-19 crisis.
We’re proud of the measures that our women-owned and operated partner factory has taken to help their employees and many of the most vulnerable communities in Lima, Peru during the COVID -19 pandemic.
The safety of our seamstresses, fabric cutters and logistics operators are our #1 priority. We’re taking every measure to keep them and their families safe, and employed as we overcome these difficult times. -M. Belaunde, Gen Manager, Catalogo
Although Peru took early, aggressive lockdown measures against the Coronavirus, it’s still suffering one of Latin America’s largest outbreaks. Only Brazil, with a population seven times greater, has more cases. An outbreak that started in Lima has spread across the country, even reaching indigenous communities in the Amazon.
As facial masks were in high demand, and the manufacturing companies of PPE were not able to meet it, Catalogo received special authorization from the Peruvian government to start producing textile face masks. With this permit, their amazing team started working on patterns to make comfortable, but protective masks. This has been a win-win situation for Catalogo as it has allowed them to keep their staff employed while producing the masks needed to help keep thousands of people safe when members if they have a family member who’s work is considered essential or have to leave the house.
As the pandemic evolved, we were looking for ways to help those in most need here in Lima and around the country.
Since the stores that did have some masks to sell were marking up the price, many high risk populations living in densely populated neighborhoods can not access or afford them. In an effort to distribute the masks to many of the most vulnerable communities, Catalogo partnered with several NGOs and community associations that work in the city’s most remote and high risk areas such as San Juan de Lurigancho and Rimac. To date 2,000 masks have been distributed. As soon as the country reopens, more masks will be delivered to other at risk communities around the country.
The safety of Catalogo´s community of seamstresses, fabric cutters and logistics operators are their number one priority, and they are taking all possible measures to keep their staff employed and their families safe.
Peru’s national quarantine period has now been extended until May 10th. We thier Coronavirus outbreaks come under control as soon as possible, and trust that our manufacturing partners will take the precautions necessary to ensure that their production get back up to full speed in the safest way possible.
The COVID-19 pandemic is an intense reminder that we are connected all along the supply chain. It is heartening to see how fashion can bring people together in creative ways for the common good.
